Phillies vs. Rangers Pick
Can the Philadelphia Phillies find a way to stop the red-hot Texas Rangers when they meet up today at 2:05PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Rangers are the clear favorite in this game, as they are getting odds of -160 to win. The Phillies are listed with a money line of +140 today, while the over/under total for the game is set at 10 runs.
MLB Quick Links: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS Stats
Today’s pitching matchup has Martin Perez (1-5, 3.89 ERA) on the mound to face Nick Pivetta (0-2, 6.14) of the Phillies. Peres has pitched respectably, but hasn’t had much run support. The Rangers have been held to 2 runs or less in five of his last six starts. Perez has struggled with baserunners, giving up 54 hits and 21 walks in 44 innings of work. His WHIP on the season is 1.70. Pivetta has just three starts this season. He has allowed 10 earned runs in 14.2 innings of work. His WHIP is 1.91.
Texas won its second game of the series, and its eighth straight game overall, with a 9-3 victory over the Phillies on Wednesday. The Rangers are now 21-20 overall and 15-8 at home while the Phillies are 14-23 overall and 6-15 on the road.
Wednesday’s game saw the Rangers jump out quickly at the plate. The Rangers ultimately finished with 17 hits for their nine runs. Zach Eflin lasted just four innings for the Phillies. He allowed 11 hits and seven runs in that short span. Shin-Soo Choo led Texas at the plate with three hits and three RBI while Jared Hoying and Delino Deshields each had four hits. With plenty of run support, Andrew Cashner was able to go seven innings, allowing just two runs on eight hits.
The Rangers are rolling along right now and I don’t think Pivetta is going to be the one to stop him. Texas has forced the Phillies to eat up their bullpen in this series, so Pivetta can’t afford a short outing. He may have to stay out even if he is struggling. That will likely lead to another big run total for the Rangers, who should finally five Perez the run support he’s been looking for.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: TEXAS RANGERS -160